WindbreaksWindbreaks TheirTheir UseUse

Morris J Houck USDA-NRCS Knox City Plant Materials Center IntroductionIntroduction z The difficulties in growing trees and shrubs where natural rainfall and other conditions are not the most favorable for tree growth should only stimulate the desire to succeed in planting and improving the home. The early ranchmen were not long in realizing the importance and value of tree planting and many of the old ranch headquarters are among the best planted home sites to be found, these early pioneers having taken advantage of the protection, comforts, and pleasures of trees. Trees and Shrubs in Northwest Texas, TAES Bulletin No.447 - April, 1932 WindbreaksWindbreaks andand TheirTheir UsesUses z What is a Windbreak? InIn WestWest TexasTexas WindbreaksWindbreaks andand TheirTheir UsesUses z Webster Says – It’s hedge, fence, or row of trees serving to break or lessen the force of the wind. ButBut WindbreaksWindbreaks havehave moremore UsesUses

z Farmstead Use z Field Use z Livestock Shelters z Living Snow Fences z Wildlife Habitat z Screening FarmsteadFarmstead WindbreakWindbreak FieldField WindbreaksWindbreaks LivestockLivestock SheltersShelters LivingLiving SnowSnow FencesFences WildlifeWildlife HabitatHabitat ScreeningScreening SoSo--whywhy dodo wewe plantplant windbreaks?windbreaks?

z Basic reason - to reduce wind speed z Windbreaks reduce heating and cooling cost to homes, and add value z Provide a barrier from sound and site, smell z Protect livestock z Aesthetics - they look good z Wildlife habitat - birds and little furry critters WindbreaksWindbreaks SpeciesSpecies SelectionSelection

Morris J Houck USDA-NRCS Knox City Plant Materials Center BestBest PerformingPerforming EvergreensEvergreens

z Eastern Redcedar, Juniperus virginiana z Arizona Cypress, Cupressus arizonica z Austrian Pine, Pinus nigra z Rocky Mt.. Juniper, Juniperus scopulorum z Arborvitae, Thuja sp. z Ponderosa Pine, Pinus ponderosa z Afghanistan Pine, Pinus elderica EasternEastern RedcedarRedcedar,, JuniperusJuniperus virginianavirginiana z medium height z up to 25 ft tall z plant 15-25 ft apart z long lived z dense foliage ArizonaArizona Cypress,Cypress, CupressusCupressus arizonicaarizonica z medium height z up to 30 ft tall z plant 15-25 ft apart z dense foliage z older trees brittle z pollen allergies AustrianAustrian Pine,Pine, PinusPinus nigranigra z medium height z up to 35 ft z medium density z plant 15-25 ft apart z leave lower limbs for effect RockyRocky Mt..Mt.. Juniper,Juniper, JuniperusJuniperus scopulorumscopulorum z medium height z up to 20 ft tall z plant 10-20 ft apart z slow growth z good native selection Arborvitae,Arborvitae, ThujaThuja spsp z small to medium height z up to 20 ft tall z dwarf varieties to 15 ft z plant 10-20 ft apart z very dense foliage z multi-trunks z slow growth PonderosaPonderosa Pine,Pine, PinusPinus ponderosaponderosa z medium height z up to 35 ft ( taller in native habitat) z medium density z plant 15-25 ft apart z leave lower limbs for effect AfghanistanAfghanistan PinePine,, PinusPinus eldericaelderica z tall tree z up to 50+ ft z plant 10-20 ft apart z narrow growth form z fast growth- multi flush z leave lower limbs for effect AfghanistanAfghanistan PinePine,, PinusPinus eldericaelderica z excellent example BestBest PerformingPerforming Hardwoods/ShrubsHardwoods/Shrubs

z Little Walnut, Juglans microcarpa z Hackberry, Celtis occidentalis z Bur Oak, Quercus macrocarpa z Redbud, Cercis canadensis z Green Ash, Fraxinus pennsylvanica z Desert Willow, Chilopsis linearis z Chickasaw Plum, Prunus angustifolia LittleLittle Walnut,Walnut, JuglansJuglans microcarpamicrocarpa z deciduous z medium height up to 30 ft z plant 10-20 ft apart z similar to pecan in growth form z slow growth rate z good wildlife plant Hackberry,Hackberry, CeltisCeltis occidentalisoccidentalis z deciduous small tree z 20-30 ft tall z plant 10-20 ft apart z slow growth z medium density z best drought resistance BurBur Oak,Oak, QuercusQuercus macrocarpamacrocarpa z deciduous tall tree z height up to 40 ft z plant 15-25 ft apart z dense foliage z moderate growth rate z good wildlife value Redbud,Redbud, CercisCercis canadensiscanadensis z deciduous z small tree up to 15 ft z plant 10-15 ft apart z multi-trunk z very showy GreenGreen Ash,Ash, FraxinusFraxinus pennsylvanicapennsylvanica z deciduous z medium height up to 30 ft z plant 10-20 ft apart z medium density z moderate growth rate DesertDesert Willow,Willow, ChilopsisChilopsis linearislinearis z deciduous z most are small, older ones can reach up to 25 ft z plant 10-20 ft apart z moderate growth rate z very showy - orchid like blooms z foliage density similar to mesquite z good wildlife value - hummingbirds ChickasawChickasaw Plum,Plum, PrunusPrunus angustifoliaangustifolia z small shrub z up to 10 ft z plant 6-10 ft apart z spreads from root sprouts z excellent wildlife plant OtherOther SpeciesSpecies

• Limber Pine or Southwest White Pine - starts off slow but shows good results after 3 or 4 growing seasons • Italian Stone Pine - similar to Afghanistan Pine • Scotch Pine • Digger Pine • Pinyon Pine • Cottonwood • Sycamore •Chinese Elm • Keteleeri Juniper OtherOther SpeciesSpecies

• Caragana •Hawthorn • White Honeysuckle • Common Lilac • Cotoneaster • Nanking Cherry • Sand Cherry • Shunkbush Sumac • Osage Orange !!Stay!!Stay AwayAway FromFrom Species!!Species!!

• Russian Olive • Siberian Elm • Salt Cedar • Black Locust • Hybrid Popular – i.e.. Lombardy Popular •Aspen •Blue Spruce • Some Mulberry species WindbreakWindbreak PlantingPlanting

Morris J Houck USDA-NRCS Knox City Plant Materials Center PlantingPlanting WindbreakWindbreak TreesTrees z Always plant the green side up WindbreakWindbreak PlantingPlanting

• Before Planting • CONIFERS – containerized ( avoid buying bareroot conifers in our area) ™ Protect from extreme temperatures, freezing and high heat. ™ Place in area protected from wind and direct sun. ™ Water seedlings once a week until ready to plant. ™ Schedule planting before new growth starts. WindbreakWindbreak PlantingPlanting

• BAREROOT SEEDLINGS ™Bareroot seedlings have a incomplete root system. ™Never expose seedling roots to air for long periods. ™Protect bundles from freezing or high temperatures. ™Water seedlings once a week until ready to plant. ™Schedule planting before new growth starts. ™If you have to hold bundles for long periods, heel in. ™Try to plant on calm cool days. WindbreakWindbreak WindWind andand RodentRodent ProtectionProtection

Morris J Houck USDA-NRCS Knox City Plant Materials Center SeedlingSeedling ProtectionProtection

• After Planting • Climate • Livestock • Rodents and Other Animal Pest • Weed Competition Conclusions

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